Peace or War-Which? by Benjamin George Wilkinson

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D.C. · Nov 5, 1903

Peace or War—Which?

By Benjamin George Wilkinson

B. G. WILKINSON

The present troubles in the Balkan States raise once again the question of universal peace or universal war. And our fears are not greatly eased when we call to mind the statement of the great German general, Von Moltke, that the Balkan States would yet be the theater of universal war.

At the time of writing, a peace congress is being held in the city of Rouen, France. This congress, however, is not entirely under the influence of the Prince of Peace. Being international in its character, one of the first propositions laid before it was that coming from the German delegates, in which, apropos of the question of Alsace-Lorraine, the Teutons requested that the congress vote the principle of the recognition of the status quo international. The proposition was rejected after a warm discussion, in the course of which the French delegates declared that they could not accept the treaty of Frankfort. To come to a peace congress ready to introduce the terrible question of the war of 1870, seems like attempting to create gentleness among wild beasts by throwing into their midst a victim to dispute over.

As often as we are led to the verge of a universal war, so often are we left in wonderment that results do not take their seemingly unavoidable issue. Following the affair of Fashoda, a terrible war between France and England seemed inevitable. However, at the moment Edward VII and President Loubet toast each other's health with the deepest cordiality because the Gaul and the Briton have once more resurrected their fraternal love.

At the time of the Venezuelan difficulties men were asking everywhere, “Shall we have war between the United States and Germany?” But America smiles now that the recent elections in Germany predict a greater market for her products among the defenders of the Rhine. The frightful issues which hung upon the Boxer movement in China are closed, but the threatenings of the Eastern volcano seem to have found another opening in the embittered hostilities of the Macedonian province.

Is it man—individually or collectively—who has found means to hold in check the expected bursting of this war-cloud? If we say, Yes, then could we also say that fire has learned how to restrain its wind-driven ragings. Rather must we look for some power that is restraining the present military-organized humanity. At this moment 2,798,102 men stand in arms, in only five of the great European continental nations, ready to cross the frontiers at the drop of the toga. Of the five, Italy, Austria, and Germany can unite 1,172,577 soldiers against 1,625,525 belonging to Russia and France.

It is not the hostility of national feuds which constitutes the great menace to the peace of the world. If the inhumanity of man to man could be annihilated, then we might look in the moment of international clamor, for a guarantee of peace in the calm feeling and impartial judgment of the individual man everywhere. But while the United States raises a protest against the massacre of the Jews in Russian cities, Russia quickly presents to the eyes of the United States the picture of a negro burning at the stake. While England stands aghast at the butcheries committed by the Belgians in the Congo Free State, Leopold simply asks, What about the Boers in South Africa? We must look outside of men and nations to discover what power restrains the ferocities of inhumanity.

God's Word alone gives us the status quo of the international question: “And after these things I saw four angels standing in the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, that the wind should not blow on the earth, nor on the sea, nor on any tree. And I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the seal of the living God; and he cried with a loud voice to the four angels, to whom it was given to hurt the earth and the sea, saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads.” Rev. 7: 1-3.

There are two points in this prophecy which aid us in determining its time. Knowing the time, its relations to the facts already presented become startling. The first point is the distinction by which we see in the chapter two companies, the first numbered, the second innumerable. “And I heard the number of them which were sealed.” This number is given in detail in verses 4-9. But verse 9 reads: “After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number.”

The first company, the one whose number was one hundred and forty-four thousand, is excluded from the second company. The second company is presented to us before the throne of God. This fact indicates to us that the resurrection is past, and earth's history is closed. And since we see this great company in its redeemed condition, after the work of the angel with the seal, it is evident that the sealing work is the last message of God to gather from among humanity a company ready for the second coming of Christ. These events, therefore, of the first three verses we have quoted take place immediately prior to the promised return of Christ.

Now everybody knows the work of God is best advanced in times of peace. But the winds of war were on the point of blowing over the earth from all four points of the compass, as John saw the angel, carrying the seal, arise from the east. Jesus Christ was born when the world was at peace under the universal sway of the Roman emperor Augustus. As the first preachings of the gospel began in times of peace, so must peace be maintained to consummate the last message, warning men to prepare for the second coming of Christ. This, then, is why, though Europe at the present moment is one vast armed camp, war is withheld from breaking out. The angels of God are restraining the winds of national, international, and universal strife, in order that all who will may be sealed in the final company that shall welcome the return of Christ to earth.